Italian GP – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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We have experienced a lively Grand Prix, with too many mistakes and the first seasonal retirement for Fernando Alonso, after so many races. It’s certainly not been a good weekend for the colours of Maranello, both in terms of performances and reliability. In fact, Ferrari says goodbye to the home race with a disappointing ninth place and only two points in world ranking for Kimi Raikkonen. The attention at Ferrari’s has been drawn by the statements of both Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo: “In March I told the shareholders and especially the people at Ferrari, who I’m very close to, that I would be available for another three years”, and Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne: “No one is indispensable, but the change of Presidency is not on the agenda”. Are these words that may herald a future in “Red” and a stock exchange appearance?

With regards to the race, we saw a determined Hamilton, who has taken his revenge on his teammate, winning the race after a certainly not brilliant start, taking advantage of two Nico’s mistakes and gaining the sixth place of the season and the tenth for Mercedes. Now, the gap with Rosberg is 22 lengths (216 points against 238 of the team-mate). Mercedes is, instead, increasingly alone at the top with a “spoil” of 454 points, compared with the 272 of Red Bull, which says goodbye to Monza with the fifth and sixth place.

Fantastic comeback-race for Daniel Ricciardo, that closes once again before his teammate. After an imperfect start, he managed to put together an amazing comeback, taking up to the fifth position and overtaking on the final also the teammate, who tried to defend himself. No doubt about it. The Australian is now a certainty for the team, which can definitely count on a pilot of the first band. At RB’s, they are certainly covered by a probable Vettel’s change of team, considering Kvyat’s good performance (mistake aside) with Toro Rosso. Forced to burst forth from the bottom of the group, he got closer to the score zone.

Astonishing comeback also for the Finnish of Williams, Bottas, who promptly recovered a disappointing start, finishing just off the podium and immediately behind Felipe Massa. The confirmation of its pilots by the British team is the first sign of stability. Consequently, I also expect the confirmation of Hamilton, at least for 2015.

At this point, the only missing piece is at Honda’s. The court of Sebastian Vettel continues and he asked a few more days to make his assessments. Considering how his season is running, he should change his scenery, in order to find new challenges and incentives. At worst, Honda-McLaren could think of doing another year together with Button, confirming concurrently the present pair.

They are now outlining the forces in the game, with two Mercedes, two Williams and two Red Bull. Mercedes’ Power-Unit raised McLaren in these conditions and market rumours seem to have restored vitality to the ex 2009 World Champion.

F.4 – Joao Vieira prepares the new challenge at “Piero Taruffi” circuit

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Intense day of work at Vallelunga circuit for Joao Vieira, that is at the wheel of his #28 Tatuus, preparing the next round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, scheduled for the weekend of September 13th and 14th exactly in the track of Campagnano.

In fact, “Piero Taruffi” circuit will be the stage of the fifth of seven rounds on the calendar of the newborn category commissioned by FIA, supported and brought to the track by ACI and promoted by WSK. The 16-year-old Brazilian from Gurupi continued the work started in July, on the occasion of his debut on the 4,085 meters of the demanding capital’s racetrack, completing over 100 rounds with excellent chronometric results, together with the staff of Antonelli Motorsport.

“I’m really happy with this day of work and with the lap time. I could make the most of the work started before the last race of Magione, completing many rounds, getting close to Maisano’s time. I like the circuit a lot and now I can’t wait to get on track this weekend“, Joao Vieira says.

“A very profitable day, even kissed by a beautiful sun. Joao has put together more than 400 km without making mistakes, scoring constantly very interesting chronometric results. Now, we have just to complete the training for the race, in order to get to the weekend prepared and determined to win another important result”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

Italian GP – PREVIEW

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Here we are! The Circus comes to Monza, in the temple of speed, the most historical circuit, together with Spa and Silverstone.

It is not a secret that Monza circuit is full of unknown aspects and variables, both in terms of reliability, with highly stressed engines, brakes and also tyres (Pirelli will bring Medium and Hard compounds) and, on the hand of layout, with the first chicane and the first variation, which has been the scene of numerous contacts that have changed the final result.

We are entering the final part of the Championship and many teams will have to deal with the number of PU already used, in order to avoid penalty on the starting grid. For units, the Grand Prix of Italy is certainly a great test, because the throttle valve remains open to the full, for the 75% of the lap. Then, on the calendar the Italian GP comes after Belgium, another circuit where it was no joke.

Once again, the Mercedes start as big favourites, but we must not underestimate the Williams, that have always attracted attention in these conditions. They have a good package, considering chassis-power unit-pilots, with Bottas determined to trip Fernando Alonso up for the fourth place in World Championship. After the unpleasant episode of Spa, at Mercedes’ peace should be back. The team can’t afford to lose this World Championship and, with its drivers, it will certainly strike the right note, to avoid falling again in similar mistakes.

Behind them we find Red Bull, with a great chassis and Daniel Ricciardo, that’s galvanized by the third success of the season (the only one that interrupted Mercedes’ domain till now and awarded with the Baldini Trophy in Brisighella), and Ferrari, which remains the great unknown. The men of Maranello can certainly rely on the support of the public. It’s up to them trying to snatch the third place.

A little advice as fan: go to Monza, in order to live a weekend of racing as if it were a country outing, a day off to spend together.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Planning the future, looking to the past

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Beyond the criticism that can be done to Red Bull for the debut next year of a just 17-years-old boy, the case of Max Verstappen has certainly our approval and it led me to think about Formula 1 and its evolution. Of course, the DNA of rumours is to focus on young people, being their “market” as a brand. Then, having the possibility to rely on a satellite team like Toro Rosso is a greater incentive.

As already pointed out in previous weeks, TR could espouse a very “green” cause (with all the consequences of the case), adding the Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr to the 20-years-old Verstappen, thus trying to grow the two young pilots, in order to promoting them later in Red Bull Racing, as it happened with Vettel, Ricciardo and, perhaps, Kvyat. The Australian can be considered effectively a number 1. Therefore, now Vettel’s departure would become meaningless.

The media “tam-tam” of Verstappen-Toro Rosso led me to think aloud about the different problems of Formula 1. For example, the average age of fans is rising. This means that the “Circus” does not thrill the younger generation anymore. I see this reflection as an important alarm bell, that can’t be overlooked. How to intervene?

CIRCUIT LIKE A COUNTRY OUTING: the race weekend have to be turned into a country outing with friends and relatives. An opportunity to have fun, to party and to amuse, enjoying an amazing race with wurstel, sausage and beer. I remember that in the ’85-’86-’87 years, the appointment of Imola was prepared by “Minardi Club Faenza” since Monday, with the installation of trailers with music, watching the race together and eating “Piadina” (typical flat bread of Romagna). 2014 Spa, Silverstone and Austria were beautiful sceneries, with fields crowded again by fans. There is a return to the past, that is necessary to ride.

FINDING NEW PILOTS OF INTERNATIONAL INTEREST: it’s necessary to promote young people. The public wants to know his favourites. It might focus on tests for young pilots or dedicating them the Friday morning. Red Bull has already hit the mark with Verstappen, since the team has managed to direct all the attention on itself. In Holland, they go all crazy. A new name, perhaps still unknown to the public, is ready to make his entrance, coming directly from the International F.3. Almost as it happened in the past. It would be nice if this project were followed also by other teams, thus providing more space for talented young people. Do not forget that we are, in fact, talking about a guy who is second in raking, who fights on the track with colleagues that are equal to him. I am of course thinking about our Fuoco and Giovinazzi or about the leader, Ocon. In the past, Monte Carlo was the fixed appointment of all teams’ managers, on the occasion of F.3 race. All the best drivers confronted themselves with a demanding track. Who stood out among the narrow streets of the Principality was taken into account.

PLANNING THE CHAMPIONSHIPS: having so many categories is negative, because values are lost. In the past, the pyramid was composed by F.3-F.2-F.1 with natural selection. In these last two years, International Formula 3 has once again become the benchmark of pilots, exactly as it was in the past. Now we need an Intermediate Formula to get to F.1. The current GP2 is not reaching its goals, because of its high costs. FIA is making a great effort to rebuild a road to the “Olympus” of motor sport, starting from the new Formula 4.

I don’t want to pass as who wants to impose his own rules, but I just want to give some advice, as enthusiast and fan of this sport. We are talking about the Top category and it is not admissible to have empty or uncrowded stands. I have the feeling that people are falling out of love with Formula 1.

Gian Carlo Minardi